Kenya Museum Society | Know-Kenya-Course

Topics and Presenters

This year’s topics and presenters offer a diverse look at lesser-known and better-known aspects of Kenya, including:

Sacred Sites and Monuments – Mr. Jacob Mhando
Prehistory in Kenya – Dr. Meave Leakey
Challenges of Nationhood and Identity in Kenya – Mr. John Sibi- Okumu
Urban Culture – Ms. Joyce Nyairo
Human Rights/Gender Issues – Ms. Muthoni Wanyeki and the Honourable Njoki Ndung’u
Political Cartoons and the Media - Gado
Economic Development in Kenya: The Real Issues – Mr. Sunny Bindra
Elephant Conservation – Ms. Paula Kahumbu
The African Baobab Tree – Mr. Rupert Watson
Kenya: A Country in the Making 1880-1940 – Mr. Nigel Pavitt
Birds in Kenya – Mr. Munir Virani
Sports Panel - Moderated by Martin Keino and featuring Mr. Paul Tergat and Ms. Tegla Lorupe
'The Building of the Uganda Railway - Otherwise known as the Lunatic Line' - Mr. Bryan Harris

The Films

The films include:

Queen of the Trees – presented by the film makers Victoria and Mark Deeble,
Echo of the Elephants: The Last Chapter to be introduced by Dr. Cynthia Moss and
World on a String: The Eternal Bead - introduced by Mr. Alan Donavan.

The Know Kenya Course during the week will be offering a series of 10 morning lectures, to be held at the newly opened and renovated Nairobi National Museum.

Starting each session with a brief entertainment by local artists, the programme includes a series of afternoon events, such as guided tours of the newly refurbished museum, departmental visits to areas not open to the public, and film shows. An additional evening programme rounds off an already fascinating agenda. On the last day of this year’s Know Kenya Course participants and guests will meet at the Nairobi National Museum for lectures, tours of the museum and railway cars.

There will be a raffle with excellent prizes on offer and as usual during the course we will host a number of community projects whose representatives will be there to offer information and merchandise.

All full time participants will receive a complimentary folder containing valuable background information for each lecture.

Early booking, KMS member and group discounts will all be on offer. And we have devised a student sponsorship project. This gives fully paid participants as well as those who cannot attend the option to invite a student and help our future generation to appreciate the importance of preserving Kenya’s rich and diverse heritage.

Annual event for newcomers and residents alike

The Know Kenya Course (KKC) is an annual event of the Kenya Museum Society, open to everyone living in Kenya, newcomers and residents alike. The only requirement for attending is that you're keen to learn more about this exciting country of ours! Many embassies and international organisations make the Know Kenya Course part of their newcomer orientation programme. High schools teachers often bring their classes to one or more lectures. Professional tour guides attend to broaden their knowledge of the country. The KKC presents a varied programme of morning and evening lectures, behind-the-scenes visits to Museum departments and an all-day fieldtrip on the final day. You can attend one or all of the activities, depending on your schedule.

The Know Kenya Course is a major fundraising event of the Museum Society, and the speakers, lecturers and presenters all generously share their knowledge free of charge. The funds raised support the National Museums through the KMS grant programme. All proceeds from the Know Kenya Course will go to the National Museums of Kenya.

Full course participation at the Know Kenya Course is for KMS members only.
As a full course participant you get the benefit of an inclusive price for day and evening lectures, field trip with buffet lunch and information folders. You can join the society when you come to the KMS office to register.